Life Lines

6: Seriously Going To Regret This

Chapter Six

The coffee shop was having a slow day. I was working with Julie, a friend of mine who graduated back in June. She was heading to college next week and was getting in a few more hours before she had to quit. We had the place cleaner than Amanda had ever seen it, not that she would say that. She just poked her head out of the office when she heard us sitting idle.

When she saw everything gleaming she just nodded and disappeared again.

Julie and I exchanged a look before bursting into giggles.

"Wow. Did you catch that uplift of her lip? I think she was actually impressed."

I smiled and nodded, lifting the collar of my shirt so I could cough again. Julie looked at me with a strange expression.

"I think your dad's right. That cough just sounds...wrong."

I gave her the 'not you too' look but she just shrugged. "I've listened to it all day and I'm telling you, Nat, it doesn't sound right."

I didn't get a chance to respond as business picked up. It was like someone threw the light switch. As we finished with one group of people, another would file in. We shared smiles and knowing glances. The tip jar began to fill steadily, that we were thankful for, her more than me. She said when we started the shift that she needed to make at least twenty in tips so she could fill up her gas tank.

"Thank you," I said as an out of towner put the change I just handed him in the tip jar.

I started on his drink since he was the last in the pack. Julie and I worked well together which was why Amanda tended to pair us up. We took the orders, made the drinks, and kept everything stocked unlike some of the other baristas she employed.

"I'll finish that. Looks like there's a straggler."

I nodded and handed her the cup, drying my hands on the towel I usually kept tucked in my back pocket. Amanda let us dress how we wanted just as long as our hair was up.

"What can I getcha?" I asked as I approached the register.

"Triple grande, non-fat, extra hot, no foam, latte," a familiar voice said.

I nodded and rung it up, covering my mouth yet again when my cough wouldn't be suppressed.

"Sorry," I smiled at Caroline, "I'm not contagious, I swear. $4.67."

She slid a five across the counter as I scribbled her preferences on the paper cup.

"Can you put a little bit of whip cream on that too?"

I nodded. "Anything else?"

"How long?"

"Um...a few minutes." I capped the marker and put in how much she paid me. The register dinged and the drawer popped open. "We're pretty on it today."

"No..." She smiled, trying to catch my eyes. "How long have you had the cough?"

Caroline was always nice. Actually, despite the small stab of hatred I felt for her at the cocktail party Wednesday night, we were friends.

I smiled at her, handing her change back. "A couple of days. It's persistent."

She nodded. "Have you seen Wilson yet?"

I nodded and started making her drink. "It's not strep or the flu, hence why I'm here. Amanda's a stickler for the sanitation policy. She said as long as I cover my mouth with my shirt and use hand sanitizer every couple of minutes, I'm free to work."